Thursday, March 11, 2010

I was given an Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer to use at home to review here on my blog.

In childbirth prep classes when I was pregnant, the nurse from the hospital where I would deliver told our group that the hospital refused to use the newer ear thermometers because they weren't reliable. So, when my children were smaller, I used an under-the-arm thermometer that is similar in shape to this Exergen mode. I had to remove an arm from a sleeve in order to use it, something that would upset the baby or toddler, and a general pain in the rear. Not painful, but the child never liked my pressing the thermometer into their armpit and holding their arm down until we heard a beep and got a reading.

I was tickled to get the opportunity to review a temporal artery thermometer - no more armpits! And no trying to get a child with sensory sensitivities to hold a thermometer under her tongue.

This thermometer comes with a 9V battery and an instruction manual that explains exactly how to take a temperature. Unfortunately, I had a reason to use the thermometer shortly after its arrival - two of my children became sick. Ugh. Still, I can tell you that the scanner is easy to use, doesn't involve moving the child around, no removing arms from sleeves, etc, and it's QUICK. TWO SECONDS QUICK. Properly position the infrared scanner at the forehead, press the button, slide it w/ a swiping motion to the temple (temporal artery), and you're done. The user manual helped us learn to use it and troubleshoot any problems (make sure you remove the cap, for example).

According to Exergen (via the web site), "the TemporalScanner Thermometer has been clinically tested for accuracy compared to rectal thermometers and temperature sensors inserted in the heart during course of patient treatment and accepted for use in major hospitals, making it the ideal thermometer for use with newborns, infants, children or adults."

The thermometer is priced between $30-$50 and is available at retailers everywhere, from ToysRUs to Costco to Wal-Mart and everything in between.

Exergen offers buyers an info page here that includes the video demos and the user manual (for those of us who misplace ours). Exergen is on facebook. A $5.00 Exergen rebate is available here.

2 comments:

I had no trouble when sweeping over my own forehead, but for some reason couldn't get it when sweeping it over my children's foreheads. But I found if I placed it behind their ear (at the base, just behind the earlobe) I'd get an accurate reading.

I loved it for being fast and reliable. Just wish it had been waterproof. One of the kids dropped it in the tub.

This is my fav. kind of thermometer. My daughter received as gifts from my mother 1 of each kind of themometer (she's a nurse) a few yrs. ago and we still use the temporal scanner. We have a few ppl in the family in the medical field and we are very blessed to have them in the family. In fact, we received it so long ago, that her pediatrician (still using the ear method) said they weren't advanced enough and couldn't afford a temporal one. Go Nana! Lol I recommend it to everyone. :)